The 83km/52 mile second day of the Monmouth to Mersey cycle trip with Ian and Steve.
Route: leaving the Talbot Hotel and heading north through Ledbury to pick up the B4214 and continue along this, gently undulating but then climbing gradually but more substantially for a view over the plain and then descending at speed to cross the A4103. Immediately afterwards, tuning right to take minor roads along the valley of the River Frome to Bromyard for coffee and cake at Flowerdews (next door to the Time Machine Museum of Science Fiction - which replaced the Teddy Bear Museum in 2005 - complete with TARDIS and dalek). Then continuing along the B4214 with no significant hills to Tenbury Wells for beer at the Kings Heads in bright sun. Crossing the Teme and taking a sharply rising minor road to Greete and Caynham before descending to Ludlow to source underwear for Dr Lyne and pick our way through the very busy food festival, cycling round the castle to join the B4361 and then the pavement of the A49 for coffee outside the (monstrous) Ludlow Farm shop at Bromfield. Then taking a route further east than Sustrans Route 44 to Norton and then significantly uphill to Upper Dinchope, curving round the hill to Westhope, Halton and Ticklerton always expecting then to descend but, instead continuing to climb to Hope Bowdler before a final descent to Church Stretton and the Victoria House B&B.Conditions: a second warm sunny day.
Pubs: (at lunch time) the Kings Head, Tenbury Wells for Ludlow Blonde. Afterwards, the Stretton Ale House, Church Stretton for Salopian Oracle and Thundering Molly Cider.
